The Northwest stop is the final event for the 2014 regional qualifying series before all seven regional champs take off on an all-expense paid adventure to Central America for the National Championship.

Last year, dominant local finalists O'Neill and Pacific Wave were hijacked by Santa Barbara underdog Channel Islands Surf Shop for the Northwest title, and will return this year on the hunt for redemption. Billabong Santa Cruz and Sunshine Freestyle will also be representing the Monterey Bay area.

Four-man teams — two surf shop pros and two shop employees — will compete for a National Championship berth, an advertising spread in SURFER Magazine, and the coveted title and bragging rights of best surf shop in the country.

SC TO HOST 1ST SURF FILM FESTIVAL &GT;&GT; The inaugural Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival, which will highlight surf films from around the world, is scheduled to show at the Del Mar and Rio Theatres on Sept. 24-26.

The festival's lineup of films and trailers, and information on tickets and showings can all be viewed at: santacruzsurffilmfest.com

It is the first ITU race the 28-year-old has competed in since collapsing at the finish of the Pan American Championships this spring in Dallas. He spent five days in the hospital after the life threatening incident, due to a combination of dehydration, heat stroke and a virus that caused two seizures.

"I was in the ICU for 19 hours incubated and almost died, so coming here and winning this race is huge for me," said an elated Zaferes, who earned his first career ITU win.